Christopher Christie leads Gov. Jon Corzine by nine points, 51%-42%, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll of likely voters released this morning. 

In a July 15 poll, Christie led 53%-41%. 

With independent Christopher Daggett in the mix, Christie leads Corzine 46%-41%, with 7% for Daggett.  Christie led 47%-38% in July, with 8% for Daggett.

“Chris Christie has lost a little ground, but he’s still up nine points in the two-candidate matchup.  Third party candidate Christopher Daggett is going nowhere, but he makes the race interesting, eating into Christie’s lead and bringing the gap down to six points,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University poll.

Corzine has an upside-down job approval rating of 36%-58%, slightly better than where he was at a month ago, 33%-60%.

Corzine has upside-down favorable of 37%-54%; he was at 37%-48% last month. Christie's favorable are at 42%-26%; he was at 39%-20% a month ago. Daggett remains virtually unknown, with a 4%-3% favorable rating.

The two candidates for Lt. Governor are also largely unknown among likely voters.  Republican Kim Guadagno has a 7%-2% favorable rating, while Democrat Loretta Weinberg is at 11%-7%.

“If the Lieutenant Governor choices will make a difference, it hasn’t shown up yet," Carroll said.  "Hardly anyone has heard of Guadagno and Weinberg is far from a household name.”